Girl's track is the last Culver City high school team standing

When the spring CIF playoffs started a few weeks ago several Culver City teams and individuals had their eye on the big prize, a CIF title. Only one team and one individual was able to accomplish that goal, the girl's track team. The Centaurs did not win the CIF Division 2 championship, but they finished first in two events and placed second in the team standings by scoring 43 points in their division.

Capturing individual honors last Saturday at Moorpark high school were freshman Joelle Trepagnier and sophomore Morgan Maddox. Trepagnier won the 400 meters and she placed fifth in the 200 meters. Maddox placed third in the 400 meters and fourth in the 200 meters. Both girls will be running in the Masters Meet Saturday at Moorpark high school.

Also running in the Masters Meet will be the girls 4X100 and the 4X400 meter relays. Running the 4X100 relay will be Andrea Smith, Trepagnier, Maddox and Imaan Minwalla. That team placed second in the CIF Finals. The 4X400 meter relay team captured the big prize, first place. Running on the winning team were Kennady Iverson, Trepagnier, Savanna Mullins and Maddox.

The CIF Finals had four divisions and the top times in each event advanced to the Masters. The top five finishers at the Masters Meet will advance to the State championships at Buchannan high school in Clovis, California in two weeks.

"From our coaches' perspective we are really proud of the way our athletes competed on a big stage," said coach Jahmal Wright. "They showed up and met the challenge and they ran their best. I am very proud of the way they competed."

What's really special about this team is that they are freshmen and sophomores. "I am really impressed with their composure and how they are ready to run in the spotlight," said Wright. "I just hope to see them improve even more. Every week they run against faster competition. On Saturday I expect for them to be at their best."

Here are a few quotes from girls on the 4X400 winning relay team.

Iverson: "It was exciting running in the finals and we look forward to running at the Masters Meet and we hope to run our fastest time."

Trepagnier: "It feels good to know that our hard practice is paying off. I am a freshman, and a lot of freshmen don't make it this far. I just try to improve my times."

Mullins: "It feels really good and I am really excited to be able to run in the Masters Meet."

Maddox: "It feels good and I am proud to of all of my teammates because we work hard in practice and it's a lot of fun at the same time."

The boys track team also competed in the finals, but no one qualified for the Masters. Mystic Waring just missed qualifying in the 200 and 400 meters although he came in third place in both races his times were not fast enough for him to advance.